If the phrase "fake flowers" still makes you think of dusty plastic roses at the bottom of a bargain bin — you're overdue for a glow-up.
Modern artificial flowers have come a long way. We’re talking sculptural, real-touch, high-end blooms that look so realistic, even your florist friends will do a double take. And with the rise of faux florals in modern weddings (hello, allergy-friendly, stress-free styling), knowing how to tell the good from the “please don’t put that on your Pinterest board” is essential.
So whether you're going custom or browsing a ready-made bouquet, here’s exactly what to look for when shopping for artificial wedding flowers that look the part, feel the part, and last way beyond the big day.
💐 1. The Real-Touch Test
Let’s start with the obvious: how do they feel? If it feels like plastic — run.
The best artificial blooms are made from real-touch materials or high-quality silk, giving them a lifelike texture and natural movement.
The most realistic artificial flowers are known as real-touch florals. They’re crafted from premium silk or latex blends, designed to mimic the softness, structure and movement of real blooms. Real-touch flowers have a velvety or slightly waxy feel, a natural matte finish (never shiny), and soft edges that flick and fold like fresh petals.
Silk flowers, on the other hand, offer beautiful petal structure, gentle colour variation, and a luxe finish when crafted well.
At Sonder + Stone, we use a blend of premium silk and real-touch stems to get the best of both worlds — realism and long-lasting beauty.
Want to learn more about silk vs real-touch and beyond? Check out our blog post!
🎨 2. Natural Colour = Instant Upgrade
Nature isn’t one-dimensional, and your faux florals shouldn’t be either. The most luxe faux blooms have:
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Soft colour gradients
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Slight tonal variation through each petal
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Gentle veining or texture that mimics the real thing
Cheap alternatives often look... flat. If your faux flowers don't have the above features, you'll notice the fake straight away (and especially in photos).
At Sonder + Stone, we hand-select stems that bring depth and realism — and then style them to move, breathe, and blend like a real bouquet would.
🌿 3. It’s Not Just About the Flowers — It’s the Styling
You could have the most premium stems in the world, but if they’re arranged like a stiff little dome, it’s a no from us.
High-end artificial flower bouquets and arrangements are all about how the elements come together:
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Varied heights and textures
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Soft lines, not stiff shapes
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Sculptural balance that gives the flowers movement (yes, even though it’s faux)
The difference between elevated styling and a thrown-together mess? Intentional design. Cheap arrangements often mimic flower trends but end up looking stiff, bulky, or worse — like a Pinterest fail.
At Sonder + Stone, we design everything with intention — so it feels curated, modern, and elevated.
📸 4. How They Photograph Matters (Because Photos Don’t Lie)
Here’s a detail a lot of brides miss: how your flowers look under professional lighting matters. Even if your flowers look great IRL, they need to perform under pressure — i.e. professional lighting and high-res cameras.
You’ll have your wedding flowers in a lot of your wedding photos - so they need to hold up in close-ups, flat lays, and full-length portraits. That means:
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Soft, non-reflective finishes
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Good colour balance
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Shape and texture that adds dimension to your images
The good news? Faux florals hold their shape all day long — so they won’t flop, fade or lose their vibe halfway through your shoot.
👩🎨 5. You Want a Florist Who Specialises in Faux
Artificial flowers are a whole different artform — and it takes experience, a sharp eye, and next-level styling to get them right.
Look for a florist who doesn’t just dabble in faux, but actually lives and breathes it. Someone who knows how to source the best real-touch blooms, arrange them like a stylist, and build florals that stand out from the stock-standard wedding look.
That’s our lane. And we stay in it.
💫 Why Sonder + Stone Is Different
Let’s be real — we’re not just here to make fake flowers look good. We’re here to redefine the whole category.
When you work or shop with us, you get:
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Premium artificial blooms that look and feel luxe
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Thoughtful styling that’s sculptural, modern and full of movement
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Designs that actually feel like you — no cookie-cutter wedding fluff
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Flexible options — from ready-to-purchase bouquets to full-scale custom bookings
Our goal? To create florals that turn heads, photograph beautifully, and last long after the confetti clears.
It's the beauty of flowers, without the expiry date!
💌 Your Forever Flowers, Sorted
Whether you’re scrolling our pre-designed range or planning a fully custom package, you deserve florals that feel just as special as the day itself.
💌 Enquire About Custom Designs here
🛍 Shop Our Current Ready-to-Wed Range of Wedding Flowers here